WA farmer avoids jail for not leaving farm

A West Australian farmer has been fined $1000 in the Supreme Court over charges of refusing to leave his property after the Commonwealth Bank had seized it.

Salmon Gums grain farmer Greg Kenney fell into financial difficulty after several years of drought and went into default and the Commonwealth Bank obtained a Supreme Court order to seize his property, which was executed in 2014.

He was then charged with contempt of court, which is a jailable offence, and pleaded guilty this week.

WA senator Rod Culleton, who quit Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party this week, attended court with Mr Kenney and has been a long-term campaigner against the banks over its treatment of farmers.

Justice Rene Le Miere suspended the fine and said a prison term was not appropriate because Mr Kenney had left the property.

Mr Kenney says he still has significant bank debts.